Tampa refugees' families jumping queue, says Prebble

There is no rational basis for the families of Tampa refugees getting priority over others who applied to New Zealand for refugee status, says Act Party leader Richard Prebble.

"I did oppose queue-jumping by the Tampa refugees when it occurred and I do now," Mr Prebble said yesterday.

The Weekend Herald reported that the Government will shift relatives of some of the Tampa refugees, possibly as many as 300 people, from Afghanistan to New Zealand in January.

New Zealand accepted 131 of the refugees, who were rescued from their sinking boat by the Norwegian freighter the Tampa in 2001.

Australia refused them entry and they were taken to Nauru and New Zealand.

Some of those taken to New Zealand were boys on their own. Many of the family members now to follow them are their parents, brothers and sisters.

The newcomers will be part of New Zealand's annual quota of 750 refugees. The operation's costs, which include their flights and resettlement, will be funded from the budget for that quota.

Mr Prebble said his party objected to the re-unification plans.

"The Act Party says we should apply the same test that the United States applies, so when looking at refugees we should look at, for example, their ability to assimilate and become productive members of the New Zealand community."

He said he had predicted, when the Government accepted Tampa refugees, that the refugees' families would be allowed to follow them. He expects their number will exceed 300.

"Even if those now coming are on the quota, if you come to New Zealand, eventually as a refugee you are entitled [to become] a permanent resident, then a citizen. [As such] you come within the family unification immigration policy.

"One-third of all immigrants who come to New Zealand are coming on family unification."

However, a refugee-rights group says New Zealand is obliged by a UN convention to accept families of Tampa refugees whom the Government admitted.